Media Availability: Mike Grier

Media Availability: Mike Grier

these last couple of days, obviously sending Henry to to Toronto for for Ryan and then obviously signing Jeff today. What what do these uh two moves uh do for your group? Yeah, I think they, you know, they make us a better hockey team. Um you know, wish Henry the best. Good kid. Um, you know, but you know, D, we all of a sudden had a little had a little bit of depth on D. And, you know, Revo is is someone we thought we could, our group needed a little bit of, uh, a little bit of personality, a little bit of size, some toughness, um, some physicality. I think, um, you know, one of the underrated things about his game, I think he’s he manages the puck really well and he’s really good. He’s a really good on the forche. is F1. So, um you know, it’s something we felt like we needed to add our group, especially with some of the skill we have. Um you know, there at times some games last year where um we could have used someone like him. So, um we’re excited to bring his his veteran leadership and and energy and and uh you know, the his whole package. We’re we’re really happy to bring that into our group and I think it’ll help our group. But then um you know adding someone like Jeff who can play in our top six um who’s been a proven goal scorer throughout his whole career. Um even this year with you know no power play time and and not a ton of ice time. He’s still had 16 goals. So, um, his track record is is pretty proven and we needed someone to kind of, you know, play up in that top six who could who could help could help us score and, you know, hopefully he can kind of have the same type of effect that, uh, TOE had cuz I think Jeff’s a by all accounts a really really good pro, good, um, good human being and and has lots of character. So hopefully some of that will rub off on our young guys as well. I was going to ask um you know in in regards to to Ryan um how much did you felt and you touched on this just how much did you felt maybe that you know that maybe some of your your younger forwards your smaller guys were were getting you know had some liberties maybe taken against them. Um I think overall I think our group did a pretty good job of sticking up for each other and and being there for one another. um you know having someone like Revo is definitely a whole takes it to a different level and I think there were times where um there were liberties taken and um you know even when you’re a player in general I think when you have when you have someone with his personality and his reputation and and um you know what he brings I think it makes everyone everyone on the bench feel a little bit taller and puff their chests out a little bit. So, um, we felt like our group our group could use that. Was it tough? I know you said you obviously brought in some other defenseman here these last couple of weeks, but tough still maybe to to part with Henry, who’s a guy who’s, you know, maybe just started to come into the prime of his his career. Was that uh was that difficult or was that maybe the guy that Toronto wanted back in this deal? Um, I mean, it was a little bit of both. It’s always difficult. Like I said, Henry’s a great kid. um you know he chose to come out here and for the last two and a half years or so and um you know so when you ever when you lose good people that’s never easy but um you know we looked at the guys we brought in and just looked at the year that Shakir had and the year that Sam had and just the way Sam Sam even looked at development camp even though it’s a you know it’s just a short three days um you know he looks like he’s someone who’s going to be ready at least to be pushed for for this opportunity up here as long as he’s he trains and and does well so in the summer. Um so um you know it might have been you know is going to be heavy competition here and you know at the end of the day I think this this might help Henry out as well. What uh what stood out about Sam, you know, in and during camp and you know, obviously had a terrific playoff run, but what stood out to you maybe these last few days where you got a chance to watch him in person? Um I mean just in general, I think he’s just he’s um a little bit more mature. He’s carrying himself with just a little little bit more confidence. And then um you know, you just see the size and the skating. Um, you know, like I said, it’s not too much to take out of, you know, just three short days, but, um, whenever he was on the ice of whether his drills or in the in the scrimmage, I I thought he he dominated most of the time. So, um, it was a good first step for him and and we feel like he’s on the right track here. What were your your scouts saying about Skinder and, you know, his time in Edmonton, especially uh, you know, late in the season and into the playoffs? Yeah, I mean the scout still um you know said this you know he still has still has the quickness in his game, the smarts and the competitiveness and knows where to go to score and and was still hungry to score. Um, you know, it’s not always easy to jump into a a team that just uh went on a long run and went to the Stanley Cup finals to find your kind of niche there and and sometimes there’s you’re in situation where guys used to playing with certain players and they like playing with certain players. So, it’s um it’s a hard hard um sometimes hard to find your your niche and there’s not a lot of power play time there that goes around either. So, um, but they still saw a lot of things that they liked, um, throughout the season and even in the, uh, even in the playoff games he he, um, he played, you know, the the hunger there and the smarts and the knowhow was all there. So, we’re excited to add him. All right. Thank you, Mike. Tom, Mike, Toml.com. Thanks for doing this. Um, just in general, looking at your off seasonason, you you obviously just added another couple of veteran forwards. You had added some earlier with Goad and Kishv, but also some veteran D like you mentioned. How important was that? What what part of that your to your offseason plan as far as just putting in some guys here to kind of support what you have that’s the young guys? Yeah, it was definitely important for us to try and insulate them as much as possible. Um, you know, they’re they contributed a ton to our our our numbers and and uh our production last year, but we didn’t want those guys to feel like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders and whether we win or lose was going to be all on them. So, um, we’re going to try and support them as best we can. I think, you know, Toph and Winnie last year were a good start for us. They’re they’re really good for our young guys. and um you know and we lost you know we lost Ster and and Connie um two really good pros. So um we kind of felt like we needed to bring some guys in to who could be uh you know good role models and who are good pros and good people and help us help these kids kind of learn what the grind of the league is about. Um because they’ve been successful players and they’ve played for a long time and to do that you got to put the work in every day and um you know we’re hoping that’s something that’ll rub off on our group. Is it important to also to try to maybe have more success because that also kind of helps players grow as well or? No, for sure. I think we need to um you know, push start pushing this forward. Um you know, we got a lot of ground to make up to to climb up the standings, but um you know, we’ve kind of done what we’ve had to do here these last three years. Now, it’s it’s definitely important cuz losing is hard on everyone. it can wear on people and um you know winning and winning habits and playing winning hockey and um going through those little things that it takes to win every night in and night out in the NHL is is important. So um you know for us to be a better team and win more games and be more competitive I think is definitely going to help the grow growth of these young guys and something that was important for us to to try and help them out with. Do you anticipate is there more you want to do this offseason or you’ve kind of filled the holes you like you want to fill you mentioned Skinner being a top six guy. I think that was one of the things you would hope to add as well. Um I would say we’ve we pro we probably are finished but you I guess you never know if there’s you know if there’s a trade scenario that pops up you know as we go along here and and something that’s enticing then we’ll definitely look into it. you know, ASI kind of came up in in August. So, if there’s something like that that pops up, you know, we’ll definitely investigate it and keep trying to make the roster better. Thanks very much. Thanks, Max. Mike, thanks for doing this. Um, the the thing I I was wondering about with with this move, um, you know, was was there a lot of interest surrounding Henry? I mean, 24 year old defenseman, still got plenty of team control. Well, it seems like there’s a guy that maybe there’s some upside there and and do you are you able to tell us if there was some more interest around Henry? Uh, that’s not something I need to get into with you guys. Um, that’s okay. Um, the other thing I want to ask is, you know, Tom alluded to the top nine forward thing. I mean, you see Jeff Skinner and and, you know, we bring all these guys with the playoff experience. I mean, to see him in his first playoff, you know, run last year. What did you see from him in those situations when he was in the lineup? I thought he competed real hard. Um, you know, the playoffs is a whole different level of um of hockey and intensity and I thought I thought he rose to the occasion and a couple of games he was one of their he was their one of their better players up front. So, um, you saw the uh the compete compete, the willingness to get into the hard areas to get in people’s faces and and finish checks. So, I thought he I thought he did did very well and not an easy environment, an easy um team to step in and play and where the expectations were stay on the coupler bust. And um I thought he handled himself really well. When you were looking at acquiring Ryan, uh did you did you talk with with Barklay at all? I mean, Ryan said that they were living within five minutes of each other in New York and they were kind of the running mates. Did you talk with him at all about what he brought to that team during those those deep runs for those? Yeah, I talked to Goody. uh you know, Goody endorsed him and thought he would be a great addition to our room and could bring a lot and um you know, I saw it firsthand there my my year in New York. We bought in Revo and um you know, I saw what he brought to that group and and the energy and everything he bought it. I thought it really helped kind of turn that turn that uh team around in the season and you know, we made a run to the conference finals there and and um you know, he was a big part of it. So, I’ve kind of seen firsthand as well, but Goody definitely um was on was on board and thought he’d be a good ad to the group. I guess you know, further to that, like obviously you were there, but just in the room, I mean, even when we spoke to him an hour ago, you could see his personality peak through and how do you feel that that Ryan is a fit with the room off the ice? I mean, he loves to joke around. I mean, how did did Barklay talk about that at all or have you experienced that with him? Yeah, we didn’t talk I didn’t talk about it with Goody. It’s something I I witnessed and I think you kind of see it from the outside as well. And I think I think our group needs a little personality and can use some use some uh you know a little bit of bravado and energy. You know uh to some degree it’s a quiet group. Um you know Mario has a lot of that day-to-day energy and stuff. So um it’s the NHL season’s a long season and you know there’s some dog days in there. So, if you have someone who’s kind of got that personality and energy at the rink every day, I think it it can can really help the group. So, um we’re sure I’m sure he’ll bring that. And then I think last one for me here is, you know, you you’ve talked a lot about how it’s a group effort, right? Your team, the scouting guys, Ryan Rosski, how much has has Warso, maybe not influenced some of the players or type of players that you’ve brought in, but how much input has he had and discussions have you had with him about what type of player he wants to add to his group to take it to the next level? Yeah, we talk almost every day about the roster and and um you know I I have an idea of you know what works and I think he has an idea too of the type of players he likes and the type of game he wants to play and what he wants his lines to look like. So um you know we’re in constant communication about that. So, he’s been, you know, he’s been kind of kept in the loop about all this stuff and and has been aware of the players we’ve been going after and what we’re trying to add. And, you know, we’ve had long discussions about all of them and how they fit and, you know, at the end of the day, he’s you know, he’s he’s been uh, you know, informed on all this and and signed off on all of it. So, it’s been it’s been good for me. It’s been uh a good process to have him involved and and um you know at the end of the day he’s uh he’s the one on the bench who’s got to put guys out there and he’s got to feel comfortable about putting the guys out in the ice. Awesome. Thanks Mike. Yeah, Shane. Hey Mike, thanks for doing this. Are you excited to finally bring in somebody who might be louder than Mario? Yeah, I don’t know. That’s going to be a pretty good competition. So, I don’t know, but it’ll be good to see. Um, I wondering, uh, did you explore the trade market for a winger much? I mean, you’re pretty, uh, sort of upfront about wanting to add add some wing help this summer. Um, and some prominent wingers got got traded, uh, this offseason, or was your search mostly kind of concentrated on on doing this through free agency? Um, no. I I would say we explored all those, you know, most of the guys that you’re probably thinking of. You know, we at least had conversations with those teams about the players and and what it would take and, you know, in some cases we made offers, but um you know, teams went the other way. Um were you conscious uh this summer to particularly add weapons to your power play? Skinner, obviously, even Adam God to kind of round out the unit so maybe it wouldn’t be so topheavy. like that was a goal of yours this summer. Yeah, I mean the power play had to improve so to get some more pieces in there. I think um you know at times last year we were trying to um you know put square things into round holes and things weren’t fitting. So, um, you know, I think we talking to the coaches at the end of the year, I think they had some, um, you know, some an idea of what they needed for the power play, you know, wise had some ideas of things we might have been lacking and and where we can improve in those areas. So, so those are definitely some of the some of the players that we acquired have those traits and can help out. And I think it’ll also, you know, now we should probably have the opportunity to probably have two two uh two good units and not have to rely so much on the top unit or or overload one unit. So, um you know, we’ll have some different options depending on how the coaches want to look at it. So, right now in your head, as you sort of envision um the your your two power play units that it kind of makes sense, the different roles and kind of Yeah, it just all sort of fits fits now you think in your head. Yeah, I mean I think it’s it’s close to fitting. I haven’t really gotten into it too much with the coaches, but I think there’s more there’s better pieces and a little bit more versatility of things that the coaches coaches can move guys around and and try and find the right spots for him. You say close to fitting. Is there something else that you’re thinking would be kind of nice to add an element that would have be nice to add to your power play? Um, no, not really. I guess some of it some guys will get the opportunities. So, um, we’ll just have to see if they’re if they’re a good fit there or not. And and we’ll have to see at the same time, we’ll have to see how some of the kids do. And, uh, going back to the discussion about the defense, um, and trading Henry and that’s potentially kind of related to making more space for a guy like Sam Dickinson who’s showing a lot of promise. Um, I is there a sort of a thought to make even more space on defense for Sam by making another move with one of your veter more veteran guys or do you feel pretty good with kind of the seven NHL guys that you have there and Sam will have to take a job or Luca or Jack Thompson will have to take a job from from this group of seven. Yeah, I mean it’s uh we got, you know, seven good guys and and then we got some kids that kind of who are going to one up and jump up and grab a job like you said. I think Shakir post four Nations um really took off and took a step and we hope after summer rehab and and another year of knowing the league and everything, he’ll have he has another step he can take. So, um we feel pretty good about our group. I’m not looking to, you know, move anyone. We’ll see if anything pops up. But it’s um, you know, as far as the young guys and are, it goes goes to say with our our forwards up front, too. It’s, you know, it’s the National Hockey League and it’s the best league in the world. So, um, this is all part of it. These guys have to they got to train hard this summer. They got to work hard and they got to come into camp and and try and take a job. And you know, I think this year we’re up front and on the back end, we’re going to have real true true competition that every NHL team should have that we necessarily haven’t had. And um you know, as a player, I trained as hard as I could. I trained my butt off every every summer when I was young was to get a job and then once I was in the league one or two years, it was not to lose a job. So, um you know, I think all our guys need that need to have that mentality. And um you know, we’ll let the competition kind of play out and see how see how it all goes. I got to ask you, how annoying is that 10-minute timer on the on your office right there? Yeah, I know. It’s very annoying. That’s a good good pickup. Very annoying. I’ve been counting the minutes. Um I wanted to ask you too, there’s a report from Elliot Freeman that um Nick Ley, he uh before you guys claimed him on waivers, he blocked the trade to the Sharks. Um, and then of course you guys claimed him on waiverss. It’s obviously reminiscent of the Barkley situation uh last year. Just any any comment on on on that? No, not No, not really. What to add on to that though? Um, uh, does Nick seem excited to join the Sharks or regardless whatever got him here, but like is he excited to join what you’re trying to do here? Yeah, he’s excited. We had a good conversation with him. Um, you know, he’s had some connection here with Doug. You know, Doug Huda coached him. Um, Doug Weight coached him in Long Island. Um, so I think he feels good about it. A good conversation with Warzo. Um, I think he’s excited. He’s never never uh been out west or lived out west this far out west out on the coast. So, um, you know, he’s a single guy, so I think he’s he’s kind of looking forward to coming out here and seeing what’s new and and the opportunity for, um, you know, a bigger role than than maybe what he was going to, you know, have in St. Louis as they’ve kind of, uh, kind of revamped their back end. So, I think he’s looking forward the opportunity, looking forward to um, you know, coming out here and playing. and I think he’s excited um you know by what what we have here on the roster with some of our young talent. And a last question for me and thanks again for doing this. Um I just wanted uh you know can kind of guess your opinion of this because you have placed an emphasis on adding a guy like Ryan Reeves to the lineup. You know Javanni Smith was was in there in that sort of that role before. Um, but for some people though they, you know, they wonder about the place of a of an enforcer in today’s NHL. And so I want to hear just from you, what are your thoughts of a place for a guy like Orion Reeves in today’s whatever so-called more skilled NHL or whatever you want to call it. Yeah, I think there’s definitely still a place for it and you you obviously have to be able to play the game and and contribute and which I think I think Revo still does. like you said, real real smart with the puck, really good on the forj check. Um, I think that having that presence, that physicality, and um, and just having that that person on the bench, like I said, even I think it makes everyone feel a little bit taller, puff their chests out a little bit more, and and play with a little bit more freedom. Um it’s just kind of the reality of of sports in the NHL. When you have someone um who has that reputation and can do what he can do and handle himself and and be there for his teammates, it it definitely just put some pause in um you know, the other team’s head. Um just having it just having him around. So, um I’m sure there’s definitely been times when if you don’t have that that element or or a certain degree of toughness and um you know, teams will definitely there’s definitely some teams that will take advantage of you and try and push you around and take some liberties with your with your better players. But I think when you find that, you know, someone like Revo is is on the is on the bench, I think there’s there’s far less of kind of the some of the nonsense and uh that that and the liberties that teams would want to take with your with your players. All right. Thanks, Mike. Thanks. Take some final round of questions starting with Marco. Hey, Mike. Thanks for doing this. um you know in the previous two seasons you know when you brought in veteran guys just you got on one-year deals they’ve been dealt that the following trade deadline so now that you brought in a Skinner and Orof Gadet do you feel and to actually complement the young guys like Smith and Cabbrini do you feel now that this is you know a team where you’re going to have them for the full season and there won’t be a fire cell or or will the record at that time dictate that like it did the last two seasons? I mean, the hope is not to, you know, not to have a fire sale again. I think, um, you know, we’ve kind of done what we’ve had to do the these last three years. You kind of went in went into the season having an idea that you’re probably going to be selling at the deadline. Um, you know, I think these players that were all bought in were bought in for to help our group grow and to make us a better a better team. So, um, you know, they weren’t targeted with the idea that we’re just going to flip them at the deadline. Um, obviously we’ll see how the season goes and if and if there’s an offer that comes in that makes sense and we’re, you know, we’re not anywhere near the playoffs and it’s definitely something I’ll have to to think about then. But these players were bought in with the idea that they’re going to help us grow and and be here with us throughout the season. And as for me, you know, with Roarski winning the World Championships with Team USA, um, do you feel like maybe that helped a little bit with free agency this this time around or No. Uh, maybe a little bit. I think um you know the the guys at USA Hockey I think he’s a pretty good reputation. He’s he’s been over there a couple times now. So I think he’s enjoyed his time there and I think the players that have been with them the last couple years um you know have a good idea of the person he is and the coach he is and and the enthusiasm he has. So um you know I think it definitely helped. than you know some of the other players you know you know Ned and played for him before and even going through free agency some of the guys that have played for him before I think um you know he’s definitely has a reputation that um you know players that players like him and players want to play for him and enjoy playing for him so um you know hopefully he can continue to grow and and um you know maybe he is a factor down the road of of players signing here. Thanks Mike. Thanks, Curtis. Mike, I think I’ve asked you maybe this before, but um you know, with all the additions here that you’ve made, is your expectation that this team, you know, is in the mix maybe for for playoff spots or is is at least sort of playing, you know, meaningful games well into into next uh into 2026, I guess. Yeah. Yeah, I mean it’s just to it’s to be better um overall more competitive every single night. Um learning and growing from last year in those third period kind of some third period collapses or one goal losses. So it’s just a overall improvement in those areas. Um we’ll see what the record is. Um but you know the I guess the goal would be you know the last couple years we’ve basically been out of it by new year. So, um, you know, if we’re if we’re into, you know, March and we’re still kind of hanging around, then, um, you know, that would be a good thing. But, um, I’ve never really wanted to put, yeah, I guess expectations on a number of wins and losses. I just think us being a better, more competitive team night in and night out and learning from some of the experiences we went through last year is a will be a step in the right direction. And hopefully that means we’re as we get later into the season, we’re we’re playing games that matter and are still kind of in the mix. Was it important to to show your young pieces that you are um is it is is it, you know, you’re not going to just build simply to the draft. You want to add veteran guys to make this team better right now. Was it was it important to show you know like a Mlin and a Will and a William those players that um you know it’s uh we want to we want to start winning more games right now. It’s not going to be a you know a super long process. Yeah, I think it was and it’s important for everyone. I mean um you could even say it’s more even more important to the vets, right? like the guys who maybe don’t have another 10 years in front of them like uh like like Mac and Will and Ekki. So um right I think it was important for for us to show those guys that you know we’re trying to win that this is you know not just tear it down every year and sell off every year and start over. Um you know I think now it’s it’s time to start building on this thing and taking steps forward and and winning more hockey games. So, um I think it was important for for all the players in the room. Um you know, the coaches staff, even our fans. I think the fans have been great. They’ve been patient. Um but I I think it’s it’s important for them to see progress as well. Um see us Sorry. No, no. And just seeing us competing more and and taking steps forward because they’ve they’ve supported us uh really well through these three years. What has uh what has your conversations with Hassel been like? uh in terms of just uh the way this team is being built and I’m I’m sure he’s maybe getting excited too about what the potential could be. Yeah, they’ve been great. He’s been he’s been uh super supportive and um you know involved in the you know talked him through the draft and and free agency and things like that. He’s been great. So I think he’s excited um really excited about their our young guys here and I think um he’s also excited he wants to win. So, he’s excited about us, you know, potentially taking a step forward this year. So, um it’s been great conversations. He’s he’s great to work for and he loves the Sharks and um you know, he wants to he wants to see us get back to winning as soon as possible. All right. Thank you, Mike. We’ll finish up here with Max. He’s still got the the ninja swing, as Greg Rashinsky put it, for the lights. Um the the just a quick one here is obviously back with the defenseman Jack Thompson still in RFA. I mean what have the conversations been like with him? What’s been the plan with him? Obviously he showed some flashes last year. What’s it been like and your maybe thought process for what’s next for him? Yeah, I think hopefully that he he’ll get done here. Um Joe and his agent have been working on that over the last couple weeks, so hopefully that contract will get done here in a bit. Um but yeah, Jack is, you know, he he played well for us when he he came up and I think the expectation is the same for him as it is for as it is for Sam and and Kags and and furong and he go along the list Shaq all these guys it’s um to have a great summer training be prepared and come to camp and show as best as you can and try and win a job. um you know, we’re not going to give these guys anything. And you know, now that’s more than ever we’ve had in the in the three prior years, like I I kind of mentioned earlier, it’s it’s legitimate competition for roster spots and ice time. So, um, if you’re a young guy, I expect you to have a great summer and come and camp in in phenomenal shape and and put your best foot forward.

Sharks General Manager Mike Grier speaks to the media after the most recent roster changes on July 11, 2025.